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Jessica Fisher Riches - is Querying and Drafting

@prahajess.bsky.social

1.1K followers 1.8K following 520 posts

Author, teacher, quilter, Prague tram rider 🇨🇿 🌁 Only writing-related DMs. https://jessicafisherriches.com/

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Jessica Fisher Riches - is Querying and Drafting @prahajess.bsky.social · Aug 5

#AmQuerying #YA #F #Q #authors

Early Magic Agents Guide; YA Contemporary Fantasy; When a cocksure witch loses her magic to a cunning daemon, she hatches a ruthless plan to steal it back—thought it means betraying a grieving classmate who’s only just discovered the world of magic. Images: two teen witches and one teen boy; comp titles: Wild is the Witch, A Wicked Magic, Spells for Lost Things, Practical Magic

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Jessica Fisher Riches - is Querying and Drafting @prahajess.bsky.social · 5m

RIP Diane Keaton. 😢

a woman is standing in front of a bulletin board with a sign on it that says ' where can i help you '

ALT: a woman is standing in front of a bulletin board with a sign on it that says ' where can i help you '

media.tenor.com

Jessica Fisher Riches - is Querying and Drafting @prahajess.bsky.social · 1h

🌙 Previous Moons 🌙

A prequel to Early Magic
- Modern druids in Wales
- Dark Academic setting
- Boss Bitch Villain

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #WIPSnips #YA #F

Mistress Beynon stepped into the circle. “Tonight you receive the second magic: Gwyar—the life of the touta.” Her voice carried over the magical chanting like the toll of a bell. “We welcome you in this next step on your journey. Our power will be your power, and we will hold you in that power, supporting you and celebrating with you. Begin.”
The seven gweledydd lifted their heads. “Remove your robes,” they said in unison. The students unclasped their robes and pushed them back, exposing their torsos.
“Take the leather,” the druids instructed. The students each picked up the length of leather and bit down.
“Take the stone.” The students lay face down on the stones, displaying their backs.
The stone was absolutely frigid. Bloody hell, Dylan thought. Why must everything be outdoors?
“Blades,” Mistress Beynon called out into the night, and Dylan could hear the unsheathing of seven athames.
“Begin.”

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Jessica Fisher Riches - is Querying and Drafting @prahajess.bsky.social · 1d

🌙 Previous Moons 🌙

A prequel to Early Magic
- Modern druids in Wales
- Dark Academic setting
- Boss Bitch Villain

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #WIPSnips #F

Image: sultry woman with curly red hair in a 30s era gown; text: All conversation stopped. A space had opened up in the crowd, and Marged Beynon stood in the middle of the room as though lit by a spotlight. The music died. Every eye in the room was on her.
“Welcome, friends,” she announced, with a cunning smile, scanning her audience. “It’s a night of celebration, is it not?” The twinkling lights reflected off the gold silk of her dress.
“What is she playing at,” Dylan’s mother said. “She’s not the bloody host.”
Gethin and two other oldies exchanged a glance of concern, while Anwyl Lloyd beamed at Professor Beynon as if she were his prize horse.
“Let us give the Solstice its due!”
Professor Beynon waved her pearly white arms like ribbons and murmured a few words under her breath. From the ceiling, a river of silver and white butterflies suddenly poured into the room, fluttering, swirling, flapping.

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Jessica Fisher Riches - is Querying and Drafting @prahajess.bsky.social · 1d

I just entered #RevPit #10Queries. Enter now for a chance to win free feedback on your query and 1st 5 pages!

So excited for this - always a great group of editors. :)

Jessica Fisher Riches - is Querying and Drafting @prahajess.bsky.social · 1d

*The Best Kisser in Prague*
🇨🇿
Magda and Dominik weren't looking for a connection.
It's Prague. The early 90s. Nothing is permanent. There are no rules.
They're each trying so hard to lose themself; can they find each other?
#NA #R #HS #WIP #writingcommunity #writersky #amwriting #authors

Jessica Fisher Riches - is Querying and Drafting @prahajess.bsky.social · 2d

*The Best Kisser in Prague*
🇨🇿
90s vibes
Slow burn
#WIP #NA #R #HS
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity

Magda and Dominik weren't looking for a connection.
It's Prague. The early 90s. Nothing is permanent. There are no rules.
They're each trying so hard to lose themself; can they find each other?

Images: prague skyline, kissing couple, signposts; text: Magda and Dominik weren't looking for a connection.
It's Prague. The early 90s. Nothing is permanent. There are no rules.
They're each trying so hard to lose themself; can they find each other?

Jessica Fisher Riches - is Querying and Drafting @prahajess.bsky.social · 3d

Not sure if I should send my prequel to Early Magic or my totally-different WIP about expats in 90s Prague... Working on QLs for both, just in case.
#amquerying #amwriting #writersky #writersofbsky #writersofbluesky #RevPit #10Queries

Revise & Resub @reviseresub.bsky.social · 4d

What are you doing to get ready for #RevPit #10Queries?

What do you plan on sending in? Let us know and connect with fellow writers! #amquerying #amwriting #writersky #writersofbsky #writersofbluesky

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Jessica Fisher Riches - is Querying and Drafting @prahajess.bsky.social · 4d

🧹 EARLY MAGIC 🧹

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #WIPSnips #Q #F #Querying

Just meet me to talk. At the Table at Tirien. You know where that is?”
“No.” She walked away again.
He caught up to her. “You can look it up in whatever grimoire you use. Meet me there tonight,” he pressed. “At eleven.”
“Oh, right, that sounds safe. I should just trust you, Mr. lurky. Always turning up, out of the blue—”
“Danika, stop.” He stepped in front of her. “I honestly only want to talk, and it’s literally a neutral place.” He held her gaze, his expression soft.
“How can I trust that?”
Chris hesitated. He lowered his head, and when he looked back up again, the faint glow of a glyph shone on his forehead.

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Jessica Fisher Riches - is Querying and Drafting @prahajess.bsky.social · 5d

🌙 Previous Moons 🌙

A prequel to Early Magic
- Modern druids in Wales
- Dark Academic setting
- Boss Bitch Villain

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #WIPSnips #F

At eleven pm, the Bramwells joined the other druids gathering under the stars at the far edge of the college, near the huge, overgrown back garden. They would wait until the Grand Arch Derwydd Cadwalader appeared.
Dylan led Cat to where Gwen stood, a little away from the other children, who were whispering in small clusters.
“Hey,” Dylan said with a nod. “What’s with them?”
Gwen, face like moonlight, shrugged. “Not sure. Something about a missing boy. A townie from some nearby village.”
Dylan nudged Gwen. “Don’t use that word.”
“Yeah, you sound like our mum,” Cat added.
People began moving. The Grand Arch Derwydd had arrived.

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Jessica Fisher Riches - is Querying and Drafting @prahajess.bsky.social · 5d

🧹 EARLY MAGIC 🧹

Meet Rowan's mom

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #WIPSnips #Q #F #Querying

A red convertible pulled off the street and came up the short drive to park next to her mother’s car. Rowan frowned and opened the front door. Mom sat in the driver’s seat. With the car top down, her copper ponytail was impossible to miss.
She was the most beautiful woman Rowan had ever seen in real life, with the bone structure and hair of a supermodel. Today she channeled Grace Kelly in a belted Ralph Lauren dress and adorable sandals Rowan made a mental note to steal later.
Mom’s hobbies included shopping, spas, men, money and partying. Early mornings weren’t on the list. Nor were witchcraft or motherhood, simply because she had zero skill at either.

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Jessica Fisher Riches - is Querying and Drafting @prahajess.bsky.social · 6d

*The Best Kisser in Prague*
🇨🇿
90s vibes
Slow burn
#WIP #NA #R #HS
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #WIPSnips

Five minutes later the group pauses outside a ridiculous building: a fricking villa, lightest pink with white trim, Art Nouveau, and in pristine shape compared to the decrepit Prague villas Magda is used to. “We’re going in there?” It has balconies and three storeys. It looks like a movie set.
They are still trailing the group, and she still has to take deep breaths. Dominik leans down. “Alright?’
“Are you not feeling it?” It’s intense.
“Oh, I am.”
“Don’t leave me.”
He looks right in her eyes. His pupils are huge. “No way. We stick together. Promise.”

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Jessica Fisher Riches - is Querying and Drafting @prahajess.bsky.social · 7d

I have your cat's twin!

Reposted by Jessica Fisher Riches - is Querying and Drafting

Preeti Chhibber @runwithskizzers.bsky.social · Dec 4

<3 to the Boston Public Library Teen Services for this shout out

(I hope they make it over to bsky soon!)

A screenshot of a tweet from Boston Public Library Teen Services that reads:

"If Sabrina Carpenter was your top artist this year, we think you'll love

- - Payal Mehta's Romance Revenge Plot by
@runwithskizzers
- Here Lies a Vengeful Bitch by
@codiecrowley
- Love & Lattes by Beth Reekles
- Rani Choudhury Must Die by
@adiba_j

Followed by a graphic of Sabrina Carpenter that has those four books next to her.

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Jessica Fisher Riches - is Querying and Drafting @prahajess.bsky.social · 9d

🧹 EARLY MAGIC 🧹

Kinzey's back!
(pink --> salmon)
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #WIPSnips #Q #F #Querying

“Whatcha looking for?” Her voice held a singsongy innocence that matched the pigtails, but not her age. Creepy.
Rowan approached the counter, making sure no part of her clothing actually touched any surface. “I’m looking for a spell book. Not—” she interjected before the girl could suggest it, “—anything cowan, or magick with a ‘k’. A real one.”
The girl raised her eyebrows and came around the counter, revealing the rest of her outfit. Her overalls turned out to be cut-offs, worn over pink and black striped tights. Green platform combat boots gave her a good two extra inches in height.
“Ohh, serious stuff,” she said with mock gravity. Then she grinned. “Got it. Follow me.” She blew a bubble and led Rowan into the warren of book towers.

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Jessica Fisher Riches - is Querying and Drafting @prahajess.bsky.social · 10d

🧹 EARLY MAGIC 🧹

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #WIPSnips #Q #F #Querying

The San Lorenzo River ran along the west side of the plot before winding its way through downtown Santa Cruz to the ocean.
The weather was perfect: brisk, autumnal and moody. The rain clouds had cleared, and the air smelled of wet concrete and oak trees. For such a beautiful afternoon, the cemetery was surprisingly empty.
Still seated, Danika rolled her shoulders, hoping to release the restless, tingly feeling that had plagued her all day. She’d skipped the cemetery on the actual anniversary, had told herself it was the rain keeping her away, but the clearing skies today had felt like an invitation she couldn’t ignore.

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Jessica Fisher Riches - is Querying and Drafting @prahajess.bsky.social · 11d

🧹 EARLY MAGIC 🧹

Rowan does community service.

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #WIPSnips #Q #F #Querying

At half past three, Rowan parked at the Happy Paws Animal Shelter, a sprawling property comprising three large warehouses. Someone had done a good job sprucing the place up. The aluminium siding walls of the main buildings were painted a pretty bright blue, and a polished wooden entryway and accents gave the whole place a modern, friendly appeal. The Santa Cruz mountains made a lovely backdrop.
Better than picking up trash, or whatever criminals usually did.
“Punctual.” Melanie stepped up next to Rowan and they looked over the reception building. “That bodes well.”
Rowan cut her a look. “I’m not completely evil.”

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Jessica Fisher Riches - is Querying and Drafting @prahajess.bsky.social · 11d

I know Victoria Jayne and can vouch! I'll be using their services myself. ⭐

Victoria Jayne (they/them) is querying ya fantasy @victoriajayneoh.bsky.social · 11d

Offering query package editing services!

I just got an enormous medical bill, and as you all know, i’m unemployed due to my health. But I love editing query packages, and I’m pretty good at it too.

Please DM me if you’re interested! Shares are welcome.